My second annual Hogmanay atop Schiehallion concluded with a considerably rougher than anticipated return through Gleann Mor, finally getting back to the car about ten to four in the morning. Worth doing in retrospect. Beyond that, the year was decidedly spasmodic, with islands of excessively intense activity rising out of the general miasmic torpor. The February week in Lochcarron, for example, saw a complete traverse of Beinn Dronaig from Attadale enlivened by one of the party dropping his car keys and the rest of us ranging back along the tracks for 20 minutes to find them.
I had to abandon the South Cluanie ridge in 80mph winds where the slush was providing insufficient grip to keep me from being blown over the crags, so I walked out to the south-east to reach the first of the year's many tarmac trudges.
The Ponds over Easter saw a heady mix of mini-summit bagging intermixed with more substantial outings such as a completion of the English Furths over the Scafell range, followed by the 1-1 draw between Partick Thistle and Ross County on the radio (happy days) concluding on a bomb-free ascent of Mickle Fell (and all possible summit bumps) via a quarry track from the south-east which went a lot further than shown on the map, as I rather anticipated it might. Nae bother.
Little happened after that until the June weekend when I decamped to Mull. After an opening circuit from Corra-bheinn to Beinn Talaidh, I realised that I'd overlooked the twin-top of Cruachan Dearg so nipped over for the day in September to remedy the matter. The A'Chioch ridge between Beinn Fhada and Ben More in freezing mist and high winds was rather uncomfortable, but a traverse from Glen More across Sgurr Dearg and the full length of the Dun da Gaoithe ridge up to base in Salen was the only fully clear day and not a bad outing at all.
The late July fortnight got underway with a glorious circuit of the Saddle group from Shiel Bridge, replete with Biod an Fhithich and Sgurr Mhic Bharraich, followed by a gentle trot the next day up Ciste Dhubh and Am Bathach. This was a light warm-up to the main event of the first week. This involved rising at 3am, driving up to Uig to catch the 5:30 ferry to Tarbert and then hitching part-way along the Amhuinnsuibhe road in overcast drizzly conditions. Having the extra four miles or so of road to straggle along led to me skipping Huiseabhal Mor and cutting straight up rather slippery slopes to Tiorga Mor. The soil on the Western Isles is not deep, and when wet is unhelpful to the gentle art of not falling flat on one's arse. Nevertheless, the sight of an eagle circling above the summit as the cloud rapidly lifted was worth most of the effort. The descent of the eastern spur from Oreval did not disclose the substantial gap between rocky outcrops suggested by the map, giving rise to a highly nervous wriggle through a maze of outcrops over unnervingly slippery ground, an experience for which the profusion of Scottish primroses on the gully up to Uisgneabhal Mor more than made up. I decided to forgo a continuation to Stuabhal in favour of a return to spend the night in Tarbert. A good eleven-hour outing though.
Things tailed off a bit after July, with the high point being a mid-August traverse of Ben Vorlich and Beinn Damhain. There wasn't much after that until the Christmas Eve outing - midnight atop Ben Vrackie in Scotch mist and sod all visibility, Beinn Achaladair and Beinn a'Chreachain (likewise) and more likewise on Schiehallion at Hogmanay. Looking for some consistency this year, methinks.
Mullach Buidhe, Garbh Eilean, Shiants (photo: Peter Bibby)
The day was truly miserable, just the sort of day the Western Isles seem to produce specially for the sabbath. It was also World Cup final day. However, as we'd both agreed that Ben Flat-and-Featureless is preferable to any football match, and as Alan Dawson (and others who shall remain anonymous) were coming round to our holiday cottage to watch the match, staying in was not an option. Instead we headed for Greabhal as it was the only thing not lost in clag. So, by some curious coincidence, there we were, our copy of The Relative Hills lying on the dashboard, getting ready to climb one of his hills, in the rain, just about the time Alan was letting himself into our warm, comfortable house to put his feet up in front of the television with a few beers.
Of course there were many other good days last year, which saw me climbing a personal best of 82 new hills. The rest of the week on Harris, along with the trips to Scarp, Taransay and the Shiants, included some of the best days. The good weather in April and May saw some big Corbett ticks, while Stulabhal (South Uist) on a day to die for made a perfect birthday outing. On the other hand, bad days were few in number and invariably down to bad weather. Bardon Hill and Billinge Hill hardly set the heart racing but, being conveniently close to motorways, did provide welcome breaks on a long journey to the deepest plains of Albion.
Alan Dawson adds: I'd already done Greabhal.
Landing on Scarp's golden beach
My first (and I hope not the last) visit to Streap, via Beinn an Tuim (SubMarilyn), came in April on a fine day with the odd flake of snow. Later in the year Bac an Eich and An Sidhean gave a good outing, including their CTCs, though the last part of the descent into Gleann Fhiodhaig from the north ridge was real 'break an ankle' ground. On smaller hills, a walk round the multiple tops of 'S Airde Beinn, an ancient volcanic crater feature on Mull (photo in last year's Marhofn) was enjoyable. Immediately before, Tom nan Fitheach, despite trees and crags, went easily enough up a ride from the road due west. Not so good was Fell Hill (27C) where the track from the east had electrified gates on an electric fence and it was so murky that no other hills could be seen. Later in the day, comments in Marhofn 58 about White Top of Culreoch (27B) were helpful and I found the top with little trouble. Next day Craiglee (27B) and Rig of the Jarkness gave a good outing. Last of the year was Beinn an t-Sidhein (1C) with atmospheric views over Loch Lubnaig.
Twenty-eight new UK Marilyns for the year, which beats 2000 and 2001 combined. Also 14 new Irish Marilyns plus a host of repeat Corbetts and Munros. Highlights among the new Marilyns:
Mickle Fell: wild walking on a safe Monday. Long way to the trig but it's unmissoutable.
Mullaghcleevaun, County Wicklow: especially the mind-boggling acre upon acre of soft peat on the traverse to Tonelagee.
Knockboy, County Cork: proved yet again that if you stand there long enough the clouds will clear.
Pabbay, Harris: the day after the Shiants. At five minutes' notice, we're on the boat - more Vital Spark than RIB. A mere three hours at the top admiring the views. Great looking at Ceapabhal, and within five hours we're on that hill looking back at the isle.
Roineabhal: last day on Harris and a pilgrimage in case Redland Aggregates strike back. Longer on top than to climb - one of the week's themes. Views of Kilda and Rum.
Mynydd Enlli: information on how to get there is so vague that arriving is a big relief, but well worth persevering.
Moelwyn Mawr: on top at 7:20 to beat the advancing storm. Views vanished by 8:05. What an elegant trig.
Ulva, Gometra: toyed with taking bikes but in the end had just enough time to stroll out to Gometra and back over Beinn Chreagach. Splendid views of Bac Mor and Staffa. And a Telford church into the bargain.
Ben Griam Mor / Beg: avoided the snow being dumped on Klibreck. Managed two tricky crossings of the burn in between. Added Beinn Stumanadh after a night round the fire in Achnanclach.
Rubers Law: ended the year in the Borders, narrowly missing a pheasant shoot.
I managed to reach my target of 621 (my pass-mark of 40% of Marilyns) and to spend a weekend in Wales, although the Isle of Man is still virgin walking territory to me. Coincidentally, I have completed 621 Dumgoynes, with 700 likely by the year end. A few walks from 2002:
The year started on a high (643m) note with Creag Tharsuinn (19C) on 1 January 2002. Brilliant day, fantastic conditions, apart from treacherous road en route - not too much gritting done at 8:00 on new year's day. Another favourite was Druim Fada (10D) - fantastic viewpoint.
Islands can be relied on for good hills, such as Sgurr Fharaidh at the north end of Eigg - would have liked eyes on the back of my head to make the most of the great views on all sides.
Shortest: White Meldon (28A).
Longest: Meith Bheinn (10D) but well worth it, a glorious day if somewhat hot and dehydrating (that great week in early May).
Least sensible: Meikle Says Law (28A) with borrowed map so old it didn't have grid numbers, so GPS was rather pointless.
Another enjoyable day started on Carn Daimh (21A), the day of the Queen Mother's funeral (as my radio kept telling me) and I was up on this lovely hill appreciating my solitude while millions sat in front of TV sets or lined the streets of London. The Bochel and The Buck both proved easier and quicker than expected and rounded off the day nicely.
Only three Marilyns were added during the year. Glas Bheinn (3A) and Meall Mor (3C) were stop-off ascents on 2 January, whilst heading for Stranraer and the boat home. A beautiful sunny day, intense cold, snow on frozen ground, iced lochans and a fullish moon setting over the Black Mount.
The third and final Marilyn of the year came on 21 December. A taxi took us from Sedbergh to Barbon from where we ascended Calf Top (35B) and tried to determine if the ground on the other side of the fence from the trig point would scrape into the 610m category. We then followed the ridge north and by field paths returned to Sedbergh. Another bright and clear day with snow-free frozen ground at the end of the pre-Christmas cold spell.
I'm something of a public transport fanatic and I calculated that over 70% of my hills have been climbed without using car transport to get to or from a hill. Due to being a county cricket supporter, fewer than 7% of my hills were tackled during the summer months (June-August) although 43% were completed in spring, while autumn records 18% and winter 32%. Sixty-seven percent of hills were tackled solo, 16% duo and 17% as part of a larger group.
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